I am looking to switch from methadone to suboxone and wish to learn how it works?

I have been on methadone maintenance program for about two and a half years now. I am tired of being tied down by it. I have read in countless forums that it is much easier to switch from methadone to suboxone to reach my final goal of being clean with the least amount of withdrawals. My dose is 50 mgs, for the first 2 years i was on 40. I would like to know what to expect in the transition. My clinic offer suboxone but they are hesitant to switch me b/c it would be a different part of the clinic.. I never once used heroin but my origional vice was oxy's.. but that doesnt matter. I have terrible constipation from the Methadone and taking lots of senokot and mirilax is also getting extremely annoying as it makes me feel sick but is the only way i can go. I am also terrified of the length of time it would take for the withdrawals to go away cold from methadone. I have researched the drug called Ibogaine and it seems to me a miracle plant but as luck would have it, it is only legal in Canada and Mexico..I live in the U.S. So my question. How sick am i going to feel if i lower my dose to 30 mg's then stop for 3-4 days to start the sub program. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Responses (1)

You are correct in that you must be down to 30mgs methadone a day and wait 72 hours from your last dose before starting the Suboxone. Weaning down to 30mgs from 50 mgs needs to be done slowly so to prevent any withdrawals. Reducing no more than 5mgs every two weeks is what I would do. Once you are down to 30mgs, you need to wait 72 hours without anything before taking your first dose of suboxone. Remember that methadone is a long acting med, so you won't experience withdrawal immediately although you will have to experience some while waiting the 72 hours. Once you are switched over you should feel better very shortly.

Awesome. Thank you so much for responding so quickly. I have no problems feeling a little sick for a few days if it means I get to get off Methadone. Most people I have talked to, including my counselor about getting off Methadone said I would prob be on it for the rest of my life.. I see my counselor tomorrow and am not leaving until the ween down process gets started. Thanks again